The Best Two-Way Radios for Rehabilitation
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your rehab, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for rehabilitation facilities?
Patient in Room 204 pressed the call button 10 minutes ago—no one’s responded...
The nurse on the east wing needs assistance transferring a patient, but no one's answering her calls…
The transport team is ready to move a patient for an MRI, but they’re still waiting on clearance from the nurse's station…
Everyone’s moving, but no one’s in sync.
These are all common issues in a rehabilitation center - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios....
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your rehab, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small facilities, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger facilities (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Rehab Centers:
- Nursing Staff: A private channel for nurses to coordinate patient care, report vitals, and respond to call buttons.
- Therapy Team: A channel for physical, occupational, and speech therapists to manage patient schedules, room availability, and equipment needs.
- Facilities & Maintenance: A channel for handling room cleanings, repairs, or temperature issues—so patient comfort and safety isn’t delayed.
- Patient Transport: A channel for moving patients to and from therapy sessions, medical appointments, or discharges.
- Administration & Security: A channel for emergencies, visitor management, or when quick decision-making is needed from leadership.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great rehab radio?
- Clear Audio Quality Hospitals and rehab centers can be noisy—radios need to cut through the background so staff can hear every word, especially during emergencies.
- Long Battery Life Shifts can run 8 to 12 hours or longer. Radios need batteries that last the whole day without constant charging or swapping.
- Lightweight and Comfortable Staff are on the move constantly. Radios should be light, compact, and easy to clip on without getting in the way.
- Emergency Alert Button A panic or emergency button that sends an instant alert to a supervisor or security team can be critical in patient-related incidents.
- Hands-Free or VOX Capability For nurses or therapists with hands occupied, voice-activated communication keeps things flowing without needing to touch the device.
- Durability Radios should withstand drops, spills, and regular cleaning with disinfectants—hospital-grade durability is key.
- Privacy Codes or Encryption To protect sensitive patient information and comply with HIPAA standards, secure communication is a must.
- Range & Coverage The radios should cover the entire facility—multiple floors, wings, even outdoor areas like courtyards or parking lots.
- Easy Integration with Earpieces Discreet communication is important, especially in patient areas. Earpieces allow private conversations without disturbing anyone nearby.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Rehabilitation Facilities
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for rehabs of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Centers
For typical rehab layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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Lightweight, discreet, and hands-free with excellent audio clarity.
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The Motorola CLPe series has the distinction of being the smallest and lightest series on our list at only 2.38 ounces. The Motorola CLP1080e is the most advanced CLPe radio that we carry.
By advanced, we mean that this radio has eight channels to segment a mid-size staff (or there is a 1 channel version).
It’s a UHF radio that works really well both indoors and outside with a 10 floor indoor range and one mile outdoors.
This series comes with a discreet earpiece and belt holster and fits perfectly on most uniforms.
The 1080e has a 12-hour battery life and is simple to use thanks to the large central PTT button.
Antimicrobial properties are included in the casing for disease control, so germs aren’t going to spread.
This device is also repeater capable in case you need to double its range.
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User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life.
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Meet the Motorola CLS1410, a UHF Radio with 4 channels that would be right at home in an average sized centers up to 200,000 sqft.
You can conserve a lot of power with this device as it only uses 1-watt of energy. You don't need more than that for your average facility, so it's best to not overspend on features you don't need.
It has 15 floors of indoor range, which is more than enough for a rehab facility.
This radio features audible call alerts, which play a sound when a call is coming in.
Businesses that we work with utilize a base station along with this radio, like the JBS447d. It can be kept in the front desk and programmed to work with both CLP and CLS radios.
Honorable Mention
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Larger Centers - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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The Motorola Curve is another popular option among the medical offices we have served. That's because it is the most HIPAA compliant radio on the market.
This is a radio that will work well with a larger staff. It has 10 channels to choose from, making it ideal for a big _ with multiple teams.
The Curve will also save you money in the long run. Because it operates on a digital band, you won't have to worry about paying any pesky FCC licensing fees.
While larger than the CLPe series, this device is still lightweight at only 4.2 ounces. It covers up to 20 floors or 300,000 square feet of range.
The Call Button compatibility can improve customer service with quick response times.
When it comes to protecting confidential information, the Curve has you covered with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology and 10,000 different privacy codes.
Another great and beneficial feature of this device is its Page All and Call All Available functions. This allows you to reach out to the entire staff at once, and it is ideal in an emergency.
On the other side of the coin, there is also a Direct Call feature that allows you to contact just one person with sensitive information.
This device is going to be able to handle even the longest shift with a 14-Hour battery life. That's all thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery that it comes with.
This is another two-way radio that has an anti-microbial coating to curb the spread of bacteria.
Honorable Mention
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your team – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!